Akira Kurosawa Explains His Movies and Yogurt (with live & active cultures!) Reviews

Washington Post- Recommended

"...As a lover of misdirection, inconveniently elongated titles, mid-century samurai epics and high-protein dairy, I ought to be more susceptible than most to Woolly Mammoth's latest world premiere play, entitled (deep breath) "Akira Kurosawa Explains His Movies and Yogurt (With Live & Active Cultures!)""

MetroWeekly- Somewhat Recommended

"...As for the performances, Izumi does bring a certain joy, wonder and good humor to her creation and her persona is memorable. Another standout is Jihan Haddad who steps in to bring some serious charisma to her many roles. Kento Morita, delivering a beautifully inflected voice-over to the mockups and then a nicely conceived “final” Kurosawa, belongs in the play this could have been."

MD Theatre Guide- Highly Recommended

"...Julia Izumi's "Akira Kurosawa Explains His Movies and Yogurt (with live and active cultures!)" is not really about Akira Kurosawa and it's not really about yogurt. It is mostly about Julia Izumi, and it is a deeply personal and totally original work that is delightful and thought-provoking."

BroadwayWorld- Highly Recommended

"...Dark events happen in all stories; art/creativity/what people make endure despite events. And the question about what the yogurt is doing in this play is well and truly answered. Akira Kurosawa Explains His Movies and Yogurt (with live and active cultures!) provides a light, often thoughtful evening of theatre on some fascinating and serious topics. (Someone always answers at 988 if you need to talk.) Bonus points for introducing 21st century audiences to the films of a 20th century master. (Kanopy for free streaming; Criterion for streaming and DVDs if the player still works.)"

DC Theater Arts- Highly Recommended

"...Akira Kurosawa Explains His Movies and Yogurt (with live and active cultures!) is an AAPI theater form- and content-loving critic's dream come true, brought to life with a combination of boldly wild exaggeration and deeply grounded realism. It's beautifully hysterical, and irreverent yet reverent. Julia Izumi's (auto)biographical play explores the life of acclaimed filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, one of the most revered Japanese artists, intertwined with Izumi's own traumas as a Japanese American...and random facts about yogurt. It's not just about Kurosawa. It's about identity and culture, grief and guilt, and understanding and truth."